Driving substrate, display device, planarizing method, and method of manufacturing driving substrate

ABSTRACT

A driving substrate includes: a protective layer including an etching surface; and a film layer including one or more convex portions on a surface thereof, the film layer being in contact with a rear surface of the protective layer, the one or more convex portions each having a surface being flush with the etching surface.

BACKGROUND

The present technology relates to a planarizing method suitable for a substrate including a resin material, and to a method of manufacturing a driving substrate using the planarizing method. In addition thereto, the present technology relates to a driving substrate and to a display device.

In recent years, a technology has been studied in which, as a substrate which does not crack easily and has flexibility, a film including a resin material (resin film) is used to form a driving substrate of a display device and the like. However, such a resin film has micro concavities and convexities on the surface thereof. Therefore, disconnection and short circuit occasionally occur at a wiring line of a driving circuit provided on the resin film.

For this reason, it is necessary to carry out a step of planarizing a resin film before forming a wiring line and a thin film transistor that configure a driving circuit. Although some methods of planarizing by etching and polishing have been provided (for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Nos. H06-77182, H06-85059, H09-8007, 2002-252195, 2004-50711, 2004-58415, and 2005-30798), it is difficult to put such methods into practical use because of cost issue posed by long production time, small process area, and the like.

In view of this, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-30798 proposes, for practical use, a method in which a protective layer having high etching resistance is provided on a surface of a resin film, and only a convex portion of the resin film protruding from the protective layer is removed by etching.

SUMMARY

However, even in the case where the method disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-30798 is used, planarizing of a surface of a resin film is insufficient, and the issue of disconnection and short circuit remains unsolved.

It is desirable to provide a planarizing method capable of suppressing disconnection, short circuit, and the like of a wiring line and the like, and a method of manufacturing a driving substrate using the planarizing method. In addition thereto, it is desirable to provide a driving substrate and a display device in which disconnection, short circuit, and the like of a wiring line are suppressed.

A planarizing method of an embodiment of the present technology includes: forming a substrate by providing a protective layer on a film layer, the protective layer and the film layer having substantially same etching resistance, and the film layer including one or more convex portions on a surface thereof; and planarizing a surface of the substrate by etching the one or more convex portions of the film layer together with the protective layer.

A method of manufacturing a driving substrate of an embodiment of the present technology includes: forming a substrate by providing a protective layer on a film layer, the protective layer and the film layer having substantially same etching resistance, and the film layer including one or more convex portions on a surface thereof; and planarizing a surface of the substrate by etching the one or more convex portions of the film layer together with the protective layer; and forming a driving circuit on the planarized surface of the substrate.

In the planarizing method and the method of manufacturing a driving substrate of the embodiment of the present technology, since the etching resistance of the protective layer is substantially the same as that of the film layer, there is less possibility that only one of the film layer and the protective layer is deeply etched.

A driving substrate of the embodiment of the present technology includes: a protective layer including an etching surface; and a film layer including one or more convex portions on a surface thereof, the film layer being in contact with a rear surface of the protective layer, the one or more convex portions each having a surface being flush with the etching surface.

A display device includes a driving substrate and a display layer. The driving substrate includes: a protective layer including an etching surface; and a film layer including one or more convex portions on a surface thereof, the film layer being in contact with a rear surface of the protective layer, the one or more convex portions each having a surface being flush with the etching surface.

According to the planarizing method and the method of manufacturing a driving substrate of the embodiment of the present technology, since the protective layer and the film layer are configured to have substantially the same etching resistance, there is less possibility that only one of the film layer and the protective layer is deeply etched, and the flatness of the substrate is improved. According to the driving substrate and the display device of the embodiment of the present technology, since the surface of the convex portion of the film layer is flush with the etching surface of the protective layer, it is possible to improve the flatness of the substrate. Consequently, it is possible to suppress occurrence of disconnection, short circuit, and the like of the wiring line.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the technology as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the technology.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams each showing a configuration of a substrate illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A to 3C are sectional views showing a method of manufacturing the substrate illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B in the order of steps.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an exemplary step subsequent to FIG. 3C.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing another exemplary step subsequent to FIG. 3C.

FIGS. 6A to 6C are sectional views showing a method of manufacturing a substrate according to a comparative example in the order of steps.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are sectional views for describing the steps illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3C.

FIGS. 8A to 8C are sectional views showing steps subsequent to FIG. 7B.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective views each showing an external appearance of an application example 1.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an application example 2.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an application example 3 as viewed from a front side, and FIG. 11B is a perspective view showing an external appearance thereof as viewed from a rear side.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an application example 4.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an application example 5.

FIG. 14A is a front elevational view of an application example 6 in an unfolded state, FIG. 14B is a side view thereof, FIG. 14C is a front view in a folded state, FIG. 14D is a left side view, FIG. 14E is a right side view, FIG. 14F is a top view, and FIG. 14G is a bottom view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings, an embodiment of the present technology will be described in detail below. It is to be noted that, the description will be made in the following order.

1. EMBODIMENT

Display Device Provided with Driving Substrate Including Film Layer and Protective Layer

2. APPLICATION EXAMPLES Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional configuration of a display device (display device 1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The display device 1 includes a driving substrate 10, a display layer 20, and an opposing substrate 30 in this order. An image is displayed on the opposing substrate 30 side. The driving substrate 10 includes a substrate 11 and a TFT layer 12 as a driving circuit. The TFT layer 12 is provided on the surface (surface facing the display layer 20) of the substrate 11.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the substrate 11 is made up of a film layer 11 a and a protective layer 11 b. FIG. 2A schematically shows a planar configuration of the substrate 11, and FIG. 2B schematically shows a cross-sectional configuration of the substrate 11. The film layer 11 a, which is a main component of the substrate 11, includes on a surface thereof a plurality of convex portions 11 a-1 and a plurality concave portions 11 a-2 between the convex portions 11 a-1. The protective layer 11 b is provided in the concave portions 11 a-2 of the film layer 11 a so as to fill the concave portions, and the film layer 11 a is in contact with a rear surface of the protective layer 11 b. On the other hand, a surface of the protective layer 11 b is flush with surfaces of the convex portions 11 a-1 of the film layer 11 a. In other words, the film layer 11 a is covered by the protective layer 11 b, and the convex portions 11 a-1 of the film layer 11 a is exposed from the surface of the protective layer 11 b (FIG. 2A). The surfaces of the convex portions 11 a-1 of the film layer 11 a exposed from the protective layer 11 b and the surface of the protective layer 11 b are formed by etching (etching surface). Although details are described later, by etching both the film layer 11 a and the protective layer 11 b in this manner, it is possible to improve flatness of the surface of the substrate 11. It is to be noted that, a micro convex portion 11 a-1 of the film layer 11 a that is not exposed but wholly buried by the protective layer 11 b may exist, and the number of the convex portions 11 a-1 may be one.

The film layer 11 a is flexible, and is made of a resin material having a thickness (a thickness in the lamination direction, hereinafter referred to simply as “thickness”) of about 5 to 50 nm, for example. Specifically, the film layer 11 a is made of, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyether sulfone (PES), polyetherimide, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylate, polyimide, polyamide, polycarbonate (PC), cellulose triacetate, polyolefin, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, epoxy resin, phenol resin, urea resin, melamine resin, silicone resin, acrylic resin, or the like. With the film layer 11 a made of the above-mentioned flexible materials, it is possible to improve the durability and flexibility of the display device 1.

The protective layer 11 b is made of a material having etching resistance similar to that of the material configuring the film layer 11 a. For example, it is more preferable that the materials configuring the protective layer 11 b and the film layer 11 a have similar skeletons or the same skeleton, and that the etching resistance thereof be substantially the same. It is to be noted that “etching resistance is substantially the same” refers not only to a case in which etching resistance is exactly the same but also to a case in qhich etching resistance has a difference (gap) which causes no disconnection, short circuit, and the like of a wiring line on an etching surface. Since the etching resistance of the protective layer 11 b is similar to that of the film layer 11 a in the present embodiment, it is possible to etch the convex portions 11 a-1 of the film layer 11 a together with the protective layer 11 b, thereby improving the flatness of the surface of the substrate 11. The protective layer 11 b is made of a resist having a thickness of about 0 to 2 μm, for example. This resist is used in photolithography. Specifically, for example, if the film layer 11 a is made of XENOMAX (registered trademark) available from Toyobo Co., Ltd, then the protective layer 11 b may be configured by TFR970 available from Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.

The TFT layer 12 has a function as a switching element for selecting pixels, and includes a TFT including a gate electrode, a gate insulating film, a channel layer, and a source-drain electrode (wiring line), and other wiring lines. The TFT may be either an inorganic TFT using an inorganic semiconductor layer as a channel layer, or an organic TFT using an organic semiconductor layer as a channel layer. By using an organic TFT to configure the TFT layer 12, it is possible to enhance the flexibility of the display device 1.

A barrier layer (not illustrated) may be provided between the substrate 11 and the TFT layer 12 in order to prevent the TFT layer 12 and the display layer 20 from being degraded by moisture, organic gas, and the like. When the flatness of the substrate 11 increases, the coverage of the barrier layer expands, and the barrier property thereof improves. The barrier layer is made of, for example, AlO_(x)N_(1-X) (where X=0.01 to 0.2) or silicon nitride (Si₃N₄).

The display layer 20 is provided between the driving substrate 10 and the opposing substrate 30, and is driven by the TFT layer 12 of the driving substrate 10. The display layer 20 includes a display body between a pixel electrode on the driving substrate 10 side and a common electrode on the opposing substrate 30 side, for example. Examples of this display body include a liquid crystal layer, an organic EL (electroluminescence) layer, an inorganic EL layer, an electrophoretic display element, and the like.

The opposing substrate 30 is provided to face the driving substrate 10 with the display layer 20 therebetween. In the display device 1, since a display face is provided on a surface, of the opposing substrate 30, opposite to a face thereof facing the driving substrate 10, the opposing substrate 30 is made of a transparent material. Except for this point, a material similar to that of the substrate 11 may be used to form the opposing substrate 30. It is also possible to provide, on the opposing substrate 30, a moisture-proof film for preventing moisture from infiltrating into the display layer 20 and an optical functional film for preventing external light from being reflected on the display face.

The display device 1 is manufactured in the following manner, for example.

First, the substrate 11 is formed, and is then planarized. Specifically, first, as shown in FIG. 3A, the entire rear surface of the film layer 11 a made of polyimide is bonded to, for example, a supporting substrate 40 made of glass having a thickness of 0.7 mm with use of an adhesive agent. Thus, a distance d in the thickness (Z-axis) direction of the film layer 11 a as a whole is decreased. Next, for example, the protective layer 11 b made of a resist based on polyimide (for example, TFR970 available from Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd) is formed on the film layer 11 a by, for example, a spin coating method, a slit coating method, or the like in such a manner as to make the surface thereof flat (FIG. 3B), and the substrate 11 is thereby formed. After the substrate 11 is formed, the protective layer 11 b is etched together with the convex portions 11 a-1 of the film layer 11 a as shown in FIG. 3C. In this manner, an etching surface is formed on the protective layer 11 b. Thus, in the present embodiment, the surfaces of part or all of the convex portions 11 a-1 of the film layer 11 a, and the surface of the protective layer 11 b configure the same plane, and the surface of the substrate 11 is planarized. As for the etching, for example, dry etching is performed in which plasma 50 (FIG. 3C) including oxygen (O), fluorine (F), argon (Ar), and/or the like is irradiated under vacuum. Wet etching may be employed instead of dry etching. The etching may be stopped in the state where the protective layer 11 b still exists (FIG. 3C), or alternatively, the etching may be performed until reaching a stop surface 51 so that the protective layer 11 b is completely removed together with the convex portions 11 a-1 of the film layer 11 a as shown in FIG. 4. In addition, the protective layer 11 b may be removed after the etching, as shown in FIG. 5. In terms of use efficiency of the film layer 11 a and working hours, it is preferable that the substrate 11 be used as the driving substrate 10 in the state where the protective layer 11 b exists. Before the planarization, the film layer 11 a has concavities and convexities of, for example, 0.5 to 3 μm, and after the planarization, the concavities and convexities of the film layer 11 a are decreased to, for example, about 0.1 to 0.2 μm.

FIGS. 6A to 6C show a method of planarizing a substrate (substrate 111) according to a comparative example. In this method, a protective layer 111 b having etching resistance higher than that of a material configuring a film layer 111 a is formed on the film layer 111 a (FIG. 6A), and thereafter only convex portions 111 a-1 of the film layer 111 a protruded from the surface of the protective layer 111 b are etched to planarize the substrate 111. However, in this method, there is a possibility that only the film layer 111 a, which is easier to etch than the protective layer 111 b, is deeply etched while the protective layer 111 b is not etched, and consequently the concavities and convexities of the film layer 111 a may be increased as compared with those before the etching, as shown in FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C.

In contrast, since, in the present embodiment, the etching resistance of the material configuring the protective layer 11 b is similar to that of the film layer 11 a, and the protective layer 11 b is etched together with the convex portions 11 a-1 of the film layer 11 a, it is possible to prevent the possibility that only the film layer 11 a is deeply etched, and thus to planarize the surface of the substrate 11. In addition, by etching the protective layer 11 b together with the film layer 11 a, the concavities and convexities of the surface of the protective layer 11 b are decreased, and the flatness thereof is thereby enhanced.

Further, the protective layer 11 b is preferably formed in the state where the distance d of the film layer 11 a as a whole is decreased as much as possible, as described above. In the state where the film layer 11 a is not fixed to the supporting substrate 40 (FIG. 7A), or where the film layer 11 a is only partially bonded to the supporting substrate 40 (FIG. 7B), since the film layer 11 a waves in the Z-axis direction, the distance d may be increased. Consequently, the protective layer 11 b may be ununiformly formed in an extreme manner as shown in FIG. 8A. In this case, a large difference in etching rate occurs in the substrate 11. In addition, when the distance d of the film layer 11 a is excessively large, troubles such as abnormal electric discharge and deformation of the film layer 11 a in a processing apparatus such as a vacuum apparatus that is used in etching (FIG. 8B) may be caused, and consequently the substrate 11 may not be planarized sufficiently (FIG. 8C), for example.

After the substrate 11 is planarized, a TFT and a wiring line (the TFT layer 12) are formed on the surface of the substrate 11. In this manner, the driving substrate 10 is formed. In this case, since the substrate 11 is planarized, it is possible to prevent disconnection, short circuit, and the like of an electrode of the TFT and other wiring lines.

After the driving substrate 10 is formed, the display layer 20 and the opposing substrate 30 are formed on the driving substrate 10. Finally, the supporting substrate 40 is peeled from the driving substrate 10, and the display device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is completed.

As described above, in the display device 1 of the present embodiment, since the protective layer 11 b is etched together with the convex portions 11 a-1 of the film layer 11 a in the planarizing step of the substrate 11, there is less possibility that only the film layer 11 a is deeply etched. Therefore, it is possible to improve the flatness of the substrate 11. Consequently, it is possible to prevent disconnection, short circuit, and the like of the TFT layer 12 and the like, and thus to increase the reliability of the display device 1.

Further, since the protective layer 11 b is formed after the film layer 11 a is fixed to the supporting substrate 40, it is possible to uniformly form the protective layer 11 b on the film layer 11 a, and in addition thereto, it is possible to prevent troubles in the processing apparatus.

The above-mentioned display device 1 may be mounted to electronic apparatuses illustrated in application examples 1 to 6, for example.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE 1

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B each show an external appearance of an electronic book. This electronic book includes, for example, a display section 210, a non-display section 220, and an operation section 230. This display section 210 is configured of the above-mentioned display device 1. The operation section 230 may be formed on the same face (front face) as the display section 210 as illustrated in FIG. 9A, or may be formed on a face (top face) different from the display section 210 as illustrated in FIG. 9B.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE 2

FIG. 10 shows an external appearance of a television. This television is provided with, for example, an image display screen section 300 including a front panel 310 and a filter glass 320. This image display screen section 300 is configured of the above-mentioned display device 1.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE 3

FIGS. 11A and 11B each show an external appearance of a digital still camera. This digital still camera includes, for example, a light emitting section 410 for flash light, a display section 420, a menu switch 430, and a shutter button 440. This display section 420 is configured of the above-mentioned display device 1.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE 4

FIG. 12 shows an external appearance of a notebook personal computer. This notebook personal computer includes, for example, a main body 510, a keyboard 520 configured to input letters and the like, and a display section 530 configured to display an image. This display section 530 is configured of the above-mentioned display device 1.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE 5

FIG. 13 shows an external appearance of a video camcorder. This video camcorder includes, for example, a main body section 610, a lens 620 that is provided on a front face of the main body section 610 to take an image of a subject, a start-and-stop switch 630 for capturing an image, and a display section 640. This display section 640 is configured of the above-mentioned display device 1.

APPLICATION EXAMPLE 6

FIGS. 14A to 14G each show an external appearance of a mobile phone. This mobile phone includes, for example, an upper side housing 710, a lower side housing 720, a coupling section (hinge section) 730 coupling the upper side housing 710 and the lower side housing 720, a display 740, a sub-display 750, a picture light 760, and a camera 770. The display 740, the sub-display 750, or both are configured of the above-mentioned display device 1.

While the present technology is described with reference to the embodiment, the present technology is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and so forth, and various modifications may be made. For example, while the case where the display device 1 is of an active matrix type including the TFT layer 12 is described in the above-mentioned embodiment and so forth, the display device 1 may be of a passive matrix type.

In addition, the material and thickness of the layers, the film formation method, the film formation condition, and the like described in the above-mentioned embodiment and so forth are not limitative. Other materials, other thicknesses, other film formation methods, and other film formation conditions may be adopted.

Further, while the configuration of the display device 1 has been described in detail in the above-mentioned embodiment and so forth, other layers may be further included.

It is possible to achieve at least the following configurations from the above-described example embodiment of the disclosure.

(1) A driving substrate including:

-   -   a protective layer including an etching surface; and     -   a film layer including one or more convex portions on a surface         thereof, the film layer being in contact with a rear surface of         the protective layer, the one or more convex portions each         having a surface being flush with the etching surface.

-   (2) The driving substrate according to (1), wherein the protective     layer is buried between the one or more convex portions of the film     layer.

-   (3) The driving substrate according to (1) or (2), wherein the film     layer and the protective layer have substantially same etching     resistance.

-   (4) The driving substrate according to any one of (1) to (3),     wherein a material configuring the protective layer and a material     configuring the film layer have a same skeleton.

-   (5) The driving substrate according to any one of (1) to (4),     wherein the protective layer is made of a resist.

-   (6) The driving substrate according to any one of (1) to (5),     further including a thin film transistor as a driving circuit on the     etching surface.

-   (7) A display device with a driving substrate and a display layer,     the driving substrate including:     -   a protective layer including an etching surface; and     -   a film layer including one or more convex portions on a surface         thereof, the film layer being in contact with a rear surface of         the protective layer, the one or more convex portions each         having a surface being flush with the etching surface.

-   (8) A planarizing method including:     -   forming a substrate by providing a protective layer on a film         layer, the protective layer and the film layer having         substantially same etching resistance, and the film layer         including one or more convex portions on a surface thereof; and     -   planarizing a surface of the substrate by etching the one or         more convex portions of the film layer together with the         protective layer.

-   (9) A method of manufacturing a driving substrate, the method     including:     -   forming a substrate by providing a protective layer on a film         layer, the protective layer and the film layer having         substantially same etching resistance, and the film layer         including one or more convex portions on a surface thereof; and     -   planarizing a surface of the substrate by etching the one or         more convex portions of the film layer together with the         protective layer; and     -   forming a driving circuit on the planarized surface of the         substrate.

-   (10) The method according to (9), further including removing the     protective layer after the planarizing of the surface of the     substrate.

-   (11) The method according to (9), wherein the protective layer is     completely removed together with the one or more convex portions.

-   (12) The method according to any one of (9) to (11), further     including fixing an entire rear surface of the film layer to a     supporting substrate before the forming of the substrate.

The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2011-273548 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Dec. 14, 2011, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof 

What is claimed is:
 1. A driving substrate comprising: a protective layer including an etching surface; and a film layer including one or more convex portions on a surface thereof, the film layer being in contact with a rear surface of the protective layer, the one or more convex portions each having a surface being flush with the etching surface.
 2. The driving substrate according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer is buried between the one or more convex portions of the film layer.
 3. The driving substrate according to claim 1, wherein the film layer and the protective layer have substantially same etching resistance.
 4. The driving substrate according to claim 1, wherein a material configuring the protective layer and a material configuring the film layer have a same skeleton.
 5. The driving substrate according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer is made of a resist.
 6. The driving substrate according to claim 1, further comprising a thin film transistor as a driving circuit on the etching surface.
 7. A display device with a driving substrate and a display layer, the driving substrate comprising: a protective layer including an etching surface; and a film layer including one or more convex portions on a surface thereof, the film layer being in contact with a rear surface of the protective layer, the one or more convex portions each having a surface being flush with the etching surface.
 8. A planarizing method comprising: forming a substrate by providing a protective layer on a film layer, the protective layer and the film layer having substantially same etching resistance, and the film layer including one or more convex portions on a surface thereof; and planarizing a surface of the substrate by etching the one or more convex portions of the film layer together with the protective layer.
 9. A method of manufacturing a driving substrate, the method comprising: forming a substrate by providing a protective layer on a film layer, the protective layer and the film layer having substantially same etching resistance, and the film layer including one or more convex portions on a surface thereof; and planarizing a surface of the substrate by etching the one or more convex portions of the film layer together with the protective layer; and forming a driving circuit on the planarized surface of the substrate.
 10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising removing the protective layer after the planarizing of the surface of the substrate.
 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the protective layer is completely removed together with the one or more convex portions.
 12. The method according to claim 9, further comprising fixing an entire rear surface of the film layer to a supporting substrate before the forming of the substrate. 